Götaland is the southernmost of the three Lands of Sweden. Officially it also covers Scania and Gotland, which are however separately treated in this travel guide.

Götaland was the homeland of the Geats, Götar, who have been associated to the legendary Goths. The first king known to rule both Svealand and Götaland was Olof Skötkonung, who ascended the throne around AD 995.

As the waters brought people together, and the forests divided people, Götaland was centered around lakes Vänern and Vättern; as Värmland was originally part of Götaland. Denmark used to rule Skåne, Blekinge, Halland and Bohuslän, while Gotland was independent.

Sweden and Denmark were at war during much of the 16th and 17th century. Much of Götaland was ravaged, Denmark lost the grip of Scandinavian peninsula, and Sweden became the dominant Nordic state.